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A Message from
OCF - Sudbury
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the past few years, regressive provincial and federal state policies have
undermined the social, economic and political rights of millions of people
across Canada. In Sudbury -- the very city where Kimberly
Rogers died -- we are seeing growing numbers of people with serious
grievances that are not being addressed.
For example, members of the Ontario Common Front - Sudbury (OCF-Sudbury) have been approached over the last couple of years by people having problems with landlords, with social assistance (including being arbitrarily cut off or denied benefits), with employers (especially in non-unionized situations), and with immigration authorities. So far, there has been little OCF-S could to help beyond providing information and referrals. In this regard, while a certain amount of assistance is available through agencies such as the Legal Clinic, the Social Planning Council, and the Self-Help Network, very little direct action support work is being done. By direct action support work we mean advocacy and activism on behalf of people whose rights -- whether they be social, economic or political -- have been contravened. Direct action support work, then, involves directly approaching landlords, social service agencies, employers and so on; presenting an individual's grievance; and explaining how the situation needs to be rectified. If the grievance is not addressed follow-up action is taken; support workers can go to the media; make group visits to the office concerned; picket; or organize a demonstration to ensure the individual's grievance is resolved. This type of work already is being done by groups like the Ontario Coalition Against Poverty (OCAP) in Toronto and the Tenant Action Group in Belleville. These groups are providing concrete assistance to people suffering from regressive social policies. So far, their success rates have been high. Members of OCF-Sudbury see an urgent need for the same kind of direct action support work in northern Ontario. To this end, we have begun organizing in Sudbury but are limited due to a lack of resources. The OCF-Sudbury can provide people, energy and skills for doing this important work, but not significant financial resources. To be effective, it is clear that we will need a part-time staff person to do front-line work with individuals needing assistance; office space; basic office supplies; a telephone/message service; and funds to subsidize bus and child-care costs for people requiring our support. We would be most grateful if you could support us in any way. Office space, office supplies, photocopying, seed funding, monthly contributions -- these are the kinds of donations that would enable us to get off the ground. Monthly or yearly contributions from your organization would go a long way towards making direct action support work a reality in Sudbury. Please help us challenge regressive social policies and defend the rights of people in Sudbury. If you have any questions please feel free to contact me at 670-1420 or at gkinsman@laurentian.ca In solidarity, Gary Kinsman, for the Ontario Common Front - Sudbury. |
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